title: Neuromuscular orthotics in the treatment of craniomandibular dysfunction and the effects on patients with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.
abstract: The purpose of this pilot study was to identify, measure and document an effect on the subjective multiple sclerosis symptoms and compare it to any objective data changes in the neuromuscular system of the head and neck, following the correction of the jaw position using a neuromuscular orthotic. The hope is to provide clinical evidence of improvement in the disease long-term without relying on the subjective evidence of remissions and exacerbations reported by the patient. The evidence found in the current pilot study measured improvement of head position, jaw position, jaw function, and airway in the neuromuscular bite position, which correlated with the improvement of subjective symptoms of craniomandibular dysfunction and multiple sclerosis. Studies show that the bite affects blood flow in the brain, which may explain the improvement of the patients in the current study.
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Association for The Study of Cranio-Cervical Pain, Edmonton. scotiasquare@interbaun.com
authors.forename: Tammarie
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Heit
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002508:Cephalometry; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D017271:Craniomandibular Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003768:Dental Occlusion, Centric; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007574:Jaw Relation Record; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009333:Neck / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009989:Orthotic Devices / Q000145:classification*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014716:Vertical Dimension; D055815:Young Adult